PROPOSAL FOR CONDUCTING EXPERIMENTS IN CONFERENCED TEST EDITING (CONTEXT)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01082A000700030009-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 7, 2004
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: February 19, 1974
• Content Type: MF

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DCI/IC 74-0555
19 February 1974
iL=`;OsaD~;;1 FOR: General Graham
THRCUGii:
SUBJECT:
Proposal for Conducting Experiments in
Conferenced Text Editing (CONTEXT)
1. Objective: Conferenced Text Editing has many potential applica-
tions because it basically tries to imitate the activities of any group of
people who have the task of jointly producing a finished document in a
face-to-face conference. The objective of this proposal is to allow that
process to take place under conditions where the conferees are remote from
each other. The advantages of being able to accomplish remote conferencing
by the method proposed here are:
a. The saving of travel time needed to get conferees
together.
b. The conferees can remain relatively near their own
information materials.
c. The end product would be in a completely edited
form which can be automatically printed.
2. Method of Reproach : The first step is to create a facility con-
sisting of three normal sized offices in CIA which are each equipped with
the basic hardware needed for remote conferenced text editing. This equip-
ment will be connected to a cotnon mini-computer. A secure voice conferencing
capability (using speaker phones) will also be included in each office. This
facility will be used, first, to. test equipment coipatibiiity under conference
conditions; second, to test procedures; third, to train the keyboard operators;
fourth, to familiarize analysts with the system and procedures and to get their
reactions as users.
3. The attached chart shows the layout of the three stations and
their equipment (Spkr Ph: speaker phone; CRT: cathode ray tube; Kb: key-
board; 5w: switch; Ptr.: printer). On the left are three CRTs which will
display the Record Draft. On the right are the three CRTs which will
display the :--forking inputs.
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4. Procedures (see chart)
a. Station A (control and chairman) originates or accepts
a preliminary draft from Stations B 'or C, which becomes the
tentative Record Draft.
b. Tentative Record Draft is entered into the computer
section I (closing switch) and is displayed on Record CRTs
(left, on diagram)
c. Draft is discussed in voice conference (speaker
phones)
d. Changes to the draft (deletions; word changes; additions
or insertion or changes in the order of words, phrases, sentences
or paragraphs; error corrections, etc.) are inserted by any
station recognized by the chairman.'; (Physical control of cir-
cuit by chairman might become necessary in larger conferences.)
Changes will appear on all Working Input CRTs.
e.. Changes are discussed on voice conference.
f. Changes to Working Inputs can be entered, possibly
using split screen techniques, or possibly by storing initial
changes.
g. After voice conference discussion the chairman has
final authority to move text from Working Input CRT to
Record Draft which is stored in computer section I.
h. Repeat this process until. draft is complete.
I. After final review (visually and in conference)
the chairman will order a printout of final text. (Under
operational circumstances all stations might have printout
equipment, and possibly tape storage capability.)
J. The final draft should have'', margin justification,
etc. Maps, charts, etc. might be handled by LOX, FAX or
other. techniques available using Cps Center channels.
5. Attached is.a list of essential' equipment, software, people and
facilities required to conduct the test.
6. This proposal is essentially outlining the general concept.
:each detailed planning would have to be done to bring the test facility
Into being. There are several options we are currently exploring. The
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IHC` Support Staff has surveyed this field and has excellent contractor
and conrunity contacts. We wo ke to task Acting Chairman, IHC
and his staff, as well as the representative assigned to IC Staff,
to provide continuing technical support for this project. An initial
report will present data on costs and lead tires and the technical
options.
7. Application. Conferenced Text Editing (CONTEXT) can be used
to create, coordinate, edit and produce documents where the creators are
remote from each other. This could include such activities presently
performed in the creation of the CIB, weekly Watch Committee Report
(::lien USIB is not in session) and the National Operations and Intelligence
Analysts Net (NOlAN) now under consideration.
8. We need to know your reaction to this proposal and, if favorable,
what financial resources are available to the IC Staff to pursue the various
o;,tions.
Attachment
ST
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TEST FACILITY REQUIREMENTS
Equipment: 6 CRTs
3 keyboards (with cursor control)
3 speaker phones
2 switches
1 mini computer (2 stores)
1 printer (eventually one for each station),
Software: For text editing
For CRT conference
People: 4 trained operators
subjects, including analysts
mai ntenance
Facilities: 3 offices in CIA, standard equipment
Special phone circuit - dedicated grey or green
cables for CRT to computer
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